Mechanical toy



june 24, 1924. 1,499,385 Y J. M. MURPHY MECHANI CAL TOY Filed Dec. 21 1921 Patented June 24, 1924.

UNITED.- STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

JOHN MORAN MUaPaY, or DUBLIN, IRELAND.

'1" -.j MiscHAmcAn-ToY. Y

Application filed December 21, 1921. Serial No. 523,942.

To all-whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN MORAN MURPHY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in Dublin, Ireland, have invented. a certain new and useful Improved Mechanical Toy, of which the following is a specification.

In my U. S. Patent No. 1,323,900 of December 2, 1919, a mounting for model ships, tanks and the like was described which could be manipulated to travel over a suitable surface at varying speeds and in any required direction.

In said patent the model is shown as supported on a pair of wheels running freely on axles at the same transverse section and by a member provided with two claws placed in the fore and aft line of the model and connected to a vertical spindle, to the upper end of which was secured a horizontal grooved pulley wheel, the two ends of a cord passing round the pulley being held in the hands of the operator.

When the model was placed on a surface covered with a suitable material, the claws pointing backwards, any rotation imparted to the pulley by pulling on one end of the cord caused one claw to be withdrawn and the model to take a step forward about the other claw as a pivot.

If the pulley was rotated alternately in opposite directions through equal arcs, the model progressed forward in a constant direction.

Successive angular rotations of the pulley in the same direction altered the course, so that the model could be steered in any re quired path.

The present invention consists in improvements upon the above invention wherein the claws are replaced by a pair of rollers or wheels, one of which is locked against movement at each angular movement of the pulley, so that the latter and with it the body of the model takes a step forward about the locked wheel as an instantaneous centre.

The construction forming the subject matter of the present invention enables the model to work on almost any surface, such as glass, wood, etc., and is not restricted, as in the construction disclosed in the prior specification, to use upon surfaces into which the claws may enter. There is no liability of the surface being scratched, and

toy, it is preferable toavoid the use of the sharp points of the claws.

In theaccompanying drawings which represents an example of construction according partly in section, and Fig. 3 a plan.

Referring to Figs. 13, A is the model ship, B represents a pair of wheels on transverse axlesb arranged towards the bow of the ship, C, G a pair of wheels mounted so as to rotate freely on a cranked axle D; E is a spindle secured to the body of the model, F is a sleeve surrounding the spindle E and secured to a pulley G. The sleeve F and pulley G can rotate freely about the spindle E, which passes through a hole in the axle D and terminatesin an enlargement e below the axle. The pulley G is grooved, as shown at g,,to receive a cord H. A guide K for the cord H is connected by an arm is to a sleeve L adapted to rotate freely about the spindle E.

The wheels C, C are provided with tyres ,of rubber or other suitable material to prevent slipping on the surface on which they run. Alternatively, milled or toothed metal wheels may be used with or without rubber or; like tyres.

In the pulley G apertures i, z" are provided through which the upper peripheries of the wheels C, C project; the dimensions of the apertures being such that a very slight clockwise rotation of the pulley will lock the wheel C againstthe side j of the aperture 71, so that the pulley and with it the body of the model makes step forward about the wheel C as an instantaneous centre. Rotation of the pulley in the opposite direct-ion will lock the wheel C against the side 7' of the aperture 2' and, similarly, produce a forward step ofthe model about the wheel 0 as an instantaneous centre. By alternatelyv 'tautening the ends of the cord H, while the,

I the wheels 0, G and with them the spindle E, and consequently the body of the vessel A to which the spindle is secured, are moved forward step by ste A small amount of clearance is provided between the axle D and the end of the spindle E and sleeve F to allow for the run ning of the wheels on an uneven surface.

Having thus described the nature of the other end is 'slackened.

when the device isfor use by children as a said invention and the best means I know of carrying 1;the,;sajrne into practical efi ect, I claim 2 1; A mounting for model ships, tanks and the like comprising in combinationrthe said that,'ivhen;said pulley is rotated in either di rection,-one or other ofsaid wheels is locked againstaside off one of said apertures.

2. A mounting for model ships,itanks.;and

the like comprising a model, a transverse axle and wheels mounted thereon, a second transverse axle and aparr of Wheelsmounted thereon, a vertical spindle secured to said model vand to said :second axle, a pulley mounted to rotate on said spindle and provided with apertures, a cord passing around said pulley, said second pair of Wheels projecting through said apertures in said pulley, so that, when said pulley is rotated in either direction, one or the other of said wheels frictionally engages a side of one of said apertures, and an arm mounted torotate on said spindle and carrying a guidefor said cord.

In testimony whereof 1 have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN MORAN MURPHY. 

